Lion looking abroad

Lions prop Adam Jones has admitted he could be based overseas by the time Britain and Ireland's elite head Down Under in 2013.

Jones is out of contract with the Ospreys at the end of the current campaign and has openly stated that he is considering a move to France.

Fellow Welsh Lions Mike Phillips, James Hook and Lee Byrne all moved to the Top 14 this summer and Jones has now joined Gethin Jenkins and Luke Charteris in being linked with a similar switch.

"I have had no offers set in stone but I would be happy to go there," Jones told Wales Online when asked about a potential French move.

"I am out of contract next June so I have some decisions to make. Gethin and Luke are in the same situation."

Wales boss Warren Gatland has made it clear that his preference is for his top players to remain in Wales and that departing stars may have to forfeit their international careers.

But Jones, who was a Test Lion in 2009 and is widely regarded as one of the world's top tight heads, believes heading to France would not bring his Test career to a premature end.

"It is not a bad standard of rugby in France and there are plusses and minuses of going there. I don't think Warren or the WRU are going to worry too much if two of his front five forwards are playing in France because it will only benefit Wales," added Jones.

"And you are not going to tell me that Warren is going to drop Mike Phillips because he is playing in France.

"Internationals are often labelled as money-grabbers if they move but that is not the case. But if you look at someone like Luke or Gethin, now they could set themselves up for life by going for France.

"If they have to do something that is financially right then they have to go. It is the world we live in. If the region are not going to offer you a new contract or the type of money on offer elsewhere, you might have to go.

"There is not the money in Wales at the moment to keep all those players. The regions have to balance their books so it is a tough situation for everyone. People know how tough things economically are at the moment."

Ryan Grant displayed some impressive singing skills while on tour with the British & Irish Lions. The full release of Lions Raw will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray from October 28th. Pre-order on Amazon.

This clip featuring Simon Zebo will whet your appetite ahead of the much anticipated release of 'Lions Raw', the official Behind the Scenes documentary of the successful 2013 Tour. Full release on October 28th and available on DVD and Blu-Ray.